“A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.”

The UN reports that only about 14% of the planet’s terrestrial area is currently protected (though it is also true that many existing protected areas lack sufficient funding to be adequately managed). But this statistic does not include Antarctica (10% of the planet’s land) which is very wild, nor does it include large areas under indigenous conservation management, and many privately protected areas. As a result, the current percentage of the earth under formal protection is likely significantly higher than 14% though the amount protected is clearly less than is necessary.

Different scientists and studies use different criteria to make their determination, but the good news is that the amount of the planet protected is not the same as the amount that is still largely intact, which is substantially greater. For example, a 2003 study by Conservation International indicated that 39-44% of the planet remained mostly wild, with very low human population densities. The challenge is to formally protect these areas and to restore others. And more, in 2016 a scientific assessment of distinct “ecoregions” around the world confirm that protecting half of nature is indeed attainable in most of these valuable ecosystems. Already, 16% of the Earth’s ecoregions are half protected, with most of this in Tropical and Subtropical Moist Forest, and Tundra. Another 22% are well within reach of this crucial target.